Violin in the form of a baseball bat

ABSTRACT

A violin, either constructed by modifying a regulation baseball bat or by using new wood resulting in a bat-shaped configuration, is light in weight easier to play making it ideal for beginners and adapts well to a violin pick up and outside acoustics.

United States Patent 1191 Freeman Dec. 10, 1974 [54] VIOLIN IN THE FORM OF A BASEBALL 129,653 7/1872 Collins 84/275 BAT 1,841,398 1/1932 Bergh 84/291 1,881,229 10/1932 Young 84/291 lnvemorl Harold a 164 Leonard 3,699,836 10/1972 Glasser 1 84/291 Rochester, N.Y. 14616 D70,509 7/1926 Peroutek D56/l A [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1974 Primary ExaminerLawrence R. Franklin [21] Appl' 450179 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rick Taggs [52] US. Cl 84/275, 84/173, 84/291,

1 D56 A [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. Glod 1/02 A i i either Constructed by modifying a regulation [58] Fleld of Search 84/173, 274, 275, 290, baseball bat or by using new wood resulting in a 84/291; A shaped configuration, is light in weight easier to play making it ideal for beginners and adapts well to a vio- [56] References cued lin pick up and outside acoustics.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 88,423 3/1869 Upson 84/274 7 Chums 2 Draw Fgures PAIENTEB in I own VIOLIN IN THE FORM OF A BASEBALL BAT This invention relates musical instruments and more particularly to novel constructions for stringed instruments such as violins or the like.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a construction of a violin from a regulation baseball bat or from new material resulting in an instrument similar in appearance and function to a modified bat. A portion of the bat body is cut away length-wise and the exposed internal wood is removed leaving a thin shell on both sides. A sound bar and a sound boast are fitted internally and the bat body is resealed. A chin rest, a chin rest bottom support, a scroll, a finger board, a finger board wedge support, a bridge and strings are added. Near the handle end, wood is removed toprovide a space for four pegs. Finally, a violin pick up for outside acoustics is mounted behind the bridge.

, Another object is to provide a violin that produces little sound making it suitable for the beginners for whom violin practice with a standard instrument can be disturbing to persons outside the immediate practice area.

A further object is to provide a violin that is light in weight and small in size making in portable.

A still further object is to provide a violin that yields a pleasant tone, particularly when connected in to an amplifier.

A yet further object is to provide a violin that is attractive in appearance, stimulating a youngster, yet uncomplicated for low-cost mass production.

These and other objects will become evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view thereof.

Referring to the Figures, the violin comprisesa bat body 11, a finger board 12, a finger board support wedge 13, a bridge 14, a chin rest 15, a chin rest bottom support 16, a sound bar 17, a sound post 18, a scroll 19, a set of strings 20, a set of pegs 21 and an acoustic pick up 22.

Body 11 is cut a suitable distance. along its length exposing surfaces lla and 11b. Wood is removed at surface lla to provide a sound board 23. Similarly wood is removed at the surface 1112, leaving a hollow sound chamber24. Sound bar 17 and sound post 18 are fitted and glued against sound board 23. The violin body is then resealed by gluing at the edge surfaces 11a and 11b and also at the end surface 110. A chamber 11d is cut out in the neck of the bat and holes drilled through the opposite walls for passage therethroughof stringwinding pegs 21. Finger board wedge 13 is put in place to set finger board at the proper distance below strings 20 which have been positioned by the placement of bridge 14. Chin rest 15 and bottom support 16 are glued into position as shown. Scroll 19, is glued close to bat handle lle. Preferably, scroll 19 is further strengthed by adding a peg 19a.

The violin thus completed, is ready for play, and preferably for practice, in a small area. However, since a pleasant tone is created, and enjoyable loud sound may be obtained by mounting acoustic pick up 22 and connecting to an out side amplifier.

What I now claim is:

1. A violin comprising:

a body having the general shape of a baseball bat including an enlarged end, a smaller end, and a tapered section connecting said enlarged and smaller ends;

a recessed section in saidsmaller end;

string tensioning keys mounted in said recessed secmom;

a hollow sound chamber in the interior of said enlargedend having a sound bar and a sound post connecting the top and the bottom of said chamher;

a bridge mounted on said enlarged end over said sound post;

a fingerboard attached to said smaller end, said fingerboard having a nut connected thereto adjacent said recessed section;

a tailpiece attached to said enlarged end;

and a plurality of strings tensioned between said tailpiece and said keys, said strings resting on said nut and said bridge and overlying said fingerboard.

2. A violin as in claim 1 wherein an acoustical pickup is located under said strings adjacent said bridge.

3. A violin as in claim 1 further comprising a chin rest and bottom support attached to one side of said en- I lated baseball bat. 

1. A violin comprising: a body having the general shape of a baseball bat including an enlarged end, a smaller end, and a tapered section connecting said enlarged and smaller ends; a recessed section in said smaller end; string tensioning keys mounted in said recessed section; a hollow sound chamber in the interior of said enlarged end having a sound bar and a sound post connecting the top and the bottom of said chamber; a bridge mounted on said enlarged end over said sound post; a fingerboard attached to said smaller end, said fingerboard having a nut connected thereto adjacent said recessed section; a tailpiece attached to said enlarged end; and a plurality of strings tensioned between said tailpiece and said keys, said strings resting on said nut and said bridge and overlying said fingerboard.
 2. A violin as in claim 1 wherein an acoustical pickup is located under said strings adjacent said bridge.
 3. A violin as in claim 1 further comprising a chin rest and bottom support attached to one side of said enlarged end.
 4. A violin as in claim 3 further comprising a scroll attached to said smaller end.
 5. A violin as in claim 1 wherein said body is made from a real baseball bat.
 6. A violin as in claim 1 wherein said body is made of plastic material.
 7. A violin as in claim 1 wherein said body is a simulated baseball bat. 